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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #149349
Title: JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY TOXIN REVIEWS - INTRODUCTION

Author
item Abbas, Hamed

Submitted to: Journal of Toxicology Toxins Reviews
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/6/2003
Publication Date: 9/1/2003
Citation: Abbas, H.K. Journal of toxicology toxin reviews - introduction. Journal of Toxicology Toxins Reviews. 2003. 22:vii-ix.

Interpretive Summary: This is an introduction to a special issue of Toxin Reviews that covers many aspects of the aflatoxin problem. Aflatoxin is a chemical that is produced by a fungus called Aspergillus flavus that is a particular problem in corn. Aflatoxin is a known cause of liver cancer in animals and possibly in humans and causes death, weakened immune systems, and reduced growth rates in animals. This review issue covers multiple aspects of aflatoxin, including financial impact, agricultural methods to reduce the problem, genetic breeding effort for aflatoxin-resistant crops and many others. This issue should be useful to growers, agricultural industries, and all researchers in this field.

Technical Abstract: The goal of this two-part issue of the Journal of Toxicology - Toxin Reviews, "Aflatoxin and Food Safety", is to comprehensively review one and one-half decades of progress towards characterization and control of the aflatoxin problem. Twenty outstanding aflatoxin scientists from around the world have been invited to participate in this report. Some of the topics include the financial impact of mycotoxin contamination, crop management practices, developing resistant germplasms, and the use of molecular genetics techniques. Additional topics are the need for specialized cultural practices and breeding of resistant hybrids, aflatoxin contamination, techniques for inoculating corn ears, and the role of insect control in managing aflatoxin and fumonisin. Soil ecology, techniques for analyzing aflatoxin, and genetic regulation of aflatoxin boisynthesis are reviewed. Hopefully these articles will inspire all who work in the mycotoxin field to redouble their efforts to eliminate the scourge of aflatoxins and other mycotoxins.